Blackburn Rovers central defender Ryan Nelsen is closing in on a return to action after having the first half of his season ruined by a hamstring injury.
The 29-year-old New Zealand international has not featured at all for Rovers in the current campaign, but manager Mark Hughes believes a return at the end of January is a possibility.
He commented: "Ryan is now having some good training sessions with the rest of the group.
"Obviously he is not allowed to sprint and go flat out. But he is looking like a footballer again, which we are all pleased about.
"He is very positive and it is a case of building up the strength in the hamstring and the damaged area.
"If he is back before the end of January we will be delighted."